Legislative Advocacy

Your Credit Union, Your Voice, Your Impact

The Leagues' Government Affairs team works diligently in Sacramento, Carson City, and Washington, D.C. We promote credit unions' legislative agenda, review hundreds of bills each year, and provide credit union leaders with opportunities to meet with legislators. Please take part in these essential advocacy efforts. (Continue to meet the staff...)

California and Nevada's voice in Washington D.C. The Leagues are the only Leagues with a full time staff dedicated to working with Congress, Government Agencies, and Federal Regulators. The resources in this area will help you keep informed of the latest developments and credit union priorities.

State Government Advocacy efforts brings the voice of credit unions to Sacramento and Carson City. Our advocacy team works daily with elected officials, staff, the executive offices, gubernatorial appointees, and the decision-makers of California and Nevada. This area will keep you updated on all advocacy efforts at the state level of Government.

From the Editors of CU Weekly

Rep. Jerry McNerney D-CA (Stockton)

STOCKTON CONGRESSMAN SUPPORTS CUs updated
01/09/14 04:09 PMLast Official Act of 2013
As Congress closed the door on 2013, Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-CA (Stockton), became the latest Californian to co-sponsor H.R. 688, legislation that would raise the member business lending cap for credit unions.

McNerney joins 37 of his colleagues from California in vocally supporting this necessary and long-sought charter enhancement for credit unions. While legislation, in general, moved at a snail’s pace in 2013, there was plenty of activity for credit unions in Congress.

“Continuing to gain co-sponsors is what we need to do to push our agenda forward,” said Jeremy Empol, vice president of federal government affairs for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. “While California and Nevada are helping lead the nation in bill co-sponsors, we will continue to engage other states to activate their congressional delegations.”

California now has 38 co-sponsors (including author Rep. Ed Royce, R-CA) of the state’s 53 representatives in Congress. California also has Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) as co-sponsors of the Senate version. Nevada has all four of its representatives as co-sponsors.

A Look Ahead
Congress will reconvene the week of Jan. 6. Legislators must hit the ground running with the mid-term 2014 elections only 11 months away.

In recent weeks leading to the 2013 session’s close, the House of Representatives took two steps forward for credit union regulatory relief by holding a hearing on H.R. 3584 (which would grant privately insured credit unions access to the Federal Home Loan Banks) and passing H.R. 3468, the Credit Union Share Insurance Fund Parity Act. H.R. 3584 now awaits passage by the House Financial Services Committee, while H.R. 3468 awaits passage by the full House.

These bills—in addition to preservation of the credit union tax status, reform of Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), and passage of other regulatory relief measures—will be on the Leagues’ agenda at the 2014 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference, which begins Feb. 24.

Grassroots Advocacy efforts connects you to your government. Whether issues arise at the Federal or State level, you can be an advocate for your credit union by participating in our programs. Using traditional Grassroots tactics, the Leagues connects you to our cause.

Political Action Committees are organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates, representing business, labor or ideological interests.

Talking Points

If your credit union would like talking points for an issue, such as member business lending (MBL) or supplemental capital, the Leagues' Consumer Advocacy Department can develop one to suit your particular needs. Please contact Public Affairs and Consumer Advocacy Specialist Tina Ramos-Ingold at tinar@ccul.org, or by phone at 909-212-6050.